Shangri-La set for Nakheel hotel on Palm Jumeirah

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and developer Nakheel have signed a letter of intent for Shangri-La to manage a 290-room hotel in The Palm Tower on Palm Jumeirah.

The tower will be part of the new Nakheel Mall and Hotel complex on the main trunk of the manmade island. Construction is expected to begin this year and the hotel is set to open in 2016.

Located on the first 18 floors of the 52-storey building, the Shangri-La hotel will feature outdoor family dining, an outdoor pool, a health club and spa.

Hotel guests will also have direct beach club access via a bridge and walkway to Club Vista Mare, as well as direct access to The Palm Monorail and Nakheel Mall itself.

“The Palm Tower’s strategic position at the heart of The Palm and alongside the Nakheel Mall makes the hotel the ideal location for anyone visiting Palm Jumeirah,” said Shangri-La president and CEO Greg Dogan.

“The island is the ultimate address for a luxurious stay in Dubai for both visitors and U.A.E. residents, and we are thrilled to partner with Nakheel to open a Shangri-La hotel in this must-visit destination.”

The two parties expect to sign a comprehensive hotel management agreement for the property, which will be Shangri-La’s fifth in the UAE, in the coming weeks.

Nakheel chairman Ali Rashid Lootah said: “Palm Jumeirah is synonymous with luxury living and leisure. Our new partnership with Shangri-La further reinforces the island’s position as a global destination offering unrivalled, world-class facilities for Dubai’s residents and tourists.

“The Palm Tower will be our flagship hotel and the ultimate address on Palm Jumeirah. We are delighted to bring Shangri-La and its world-renowned service and hospitality to what will be the new centrepiece of Palm Jumeirah and a stunning new landmark for Dubai.”

Speaking exclusively to Hotelier Middle East earlier this year, Shangri-La VP sales & marketing EMEA, India & Indian Ocean Rob Weeden admitted it was "no secret" that the company was looking to open more properties in Dubai.

It currently has hotels in Deira and Downtown Dubai, as well as two in Abu Dhabi and a resort in Muscat, Oman. It also has two hotels under development in Qatar.